Personal Finance Bowl

Just found out my bonus for this year. Thinking of using it for a home improvement project. Would prefer to not have Uncle Sam take his greedy chunk. Thinking about contributing it into my 401k pretax… more

I am looking for advice on jobs. I just accepted a new job for 145k as an accountant In nyc but I am wondering if I should have aimed for more. Looking for insight

Lost thinking about insurance. No kids (but probably 1-2 in the next few years; no house but likely will buy around that timeline). HH annual income is ~$500k (even split between spouse and I). We have some nominal disability insurance through our … more

On my tax filings for 2025, I only made $80k on paper because I only worked half the year since I graduated school in May, which would qualify me for the Roth IRA.

However, starting next year, I won’t qualify for … more

Very frustrated. My HR team as part of on boarding told me (multiple times) that my 401(k) plan had a true up if you maxed out early in the year. So that is what I did this year. I find out today that… more

Has anyone here contributed to traditional 401k/IRA accounts while working, but when retired, gained REP status or used the short-term rental "loophole" to get their taxes down to 0? Could you share yo… more

Does anyone actively move funds from the current employer 401k to your personal 401k on a regular basis? Or just when you move companies?

Pro tip: the easiest way to make some extra cash in February is to do your taxes early.

What other small ways do people make extra cash without working an actual side gig? Can be any time of the year.

Just failed the 66 for the second time. I literally have no job now and I am panicking a little bit. I am at Vanguard. Has anyone been through this? What did you do afterwards?

I got married in 2025. My wife and I have very similar income. Her student loans are income based, so she doesn’t want to file jointly because her payments would increase. I did some basic searching a… more

What are the top ways to setup your kids for future financial success? First time mom with newborn and trying to fire but also ensure we’re setting our child up for later. Looking for accounts to setu… more

Vanguard or Fidelity personal financial advisors? Which one’s better and why?

Need some advice - 45. And we’ve learned to live on one income for the last 5 years. Wife is finally ready to go back to work but we struggle with putting our kid in early care and after care - kidd… more

is there an alternative to Empower Personal Captial dashboard to track networth? the app has gotten glitchy, wrong amount pulled, constant reconnect etc.

28 y/o. I’m moving jobs at the end of the year. I have ~140k in my 401k, and am trying to determine whether to roll it over to my new employees 401k

Assuming the new plan has decent options (e.g, low c… more

My husband and I have been gifted $30,000. We don’t have debt. IRAs are maxed out. Where should we invest?

If you made 150k a year in Maryland. Only student loans at 13k. Fully remote bringing in $3300 every two weeks without an itemized deduction. No kids.

What is the max mortgage you’d sign up for? (I’m on track to be at 185k sa… more

Which health insurance is better or do you recommend, aetna value network (AVN) HMO or Kaiser HMO? My pcp is leaving my Aetna HMO network and the next closest one is 5+ miles away while Kaiser is clos… more

How much money would you put in your traditional FSA? We can put in up to $3,300 and rollover max $550. I already used up all my FSA this year but only put around $650. It can be used for medical (spe… more

I was going to buy a house, but haven’t found the right one and ended up re-signing my lease. I have $160k sitting in a HYSA - would you put it into the market, keep it in the HYSA, or do something di… more

So…. 50 years old with $2 million in 401k. Currently pulling in $400k annually. Question is should I contribute the additional 50+ $7500 to 401k or put that money elsewhere. Also have a vested pen… more

Is it recommended to have 2 debit cards. I have my main one from golden one and my backup from Wells Fargo but now since I’m older. I have to pay the $5 monthly service fee, so wondering if it’s actua… more

Does anyone have any recommendations for brokerage firms that have at least decent, if not the best, support outside the US?
Currently, I'm visiting India & I noticed that I have very limited … more

How much do you care about your credit score if you aren’t financing any major purchases? I’m almost a year into being a homeowner for the first time and am feeling a cash crunch. But my SO has signif… more

I think one of the less talked about saving strategies is to buy things quality (and thus, more expensive) upfront. When I go with cheaper options, I often find I have to go back and buy the better quality option… more

Anyone have thoughts on home insurance deductible? I'm currently at $2000 and thinking about increasing to 5000 which would save about 350/yr in premium. If I have the emergency fund to easily cover it,… more

How can I make a child an employee without being a business owner so they can contribute to an IRA?

This may be a bit of a longshot, but I have absolutely no background in finance. I went to school and received 2 degrees in a healthcare related field. I’ve been working in sales and have been offered… more

I currently have a HELOC open from a rental property 40k remaining to be paid with 7.5 % interest. Should I tap on my 401 K to pay it off? The HELOC was used as a down payment to my primary property n… more

I was laid off recently and have to roll over my 401k. It’s currently with Fidelity. I have another account with Charles Schwab. So should I roll it over to CS, to fidelity or I saw the Public has som… more

Who is everyone using for a savings account? We have BofA but they suck and return nothing. I’m looking for a good set it and forget it for emergency funds. APY is obviously important.

What are the bowl's thoughts on the "die with zero" concept? I'm kind of a fan.
For context, my wife and I don't have any kids, we won't have any heirs, so what's the point of … more

Better to max out 401(k) or ESPP first and why?

Any recs for best resources to learn more about building wealth/investment strategy in your 30s?

I’m 31 and have been heads down in my career focusing on establishing myself as a professional. Feeling behind and w… more

I have a medical procedure coming up. It will cost $8,800 out of pocket. I have about $25,000 in a HYSA earning ~ 4% interest. Do I just take it out of there and pay it in full?

I'm considering maybe applying … more

I have $400k in a brokerage account gifted from a wealthy aunt. My husband and I are considering buying a cabin. Looking to liquidate about $150k for down payment. We have no debt other than mortgage … more